Radiator cap



April 30, 1968 J. R. BODDIE 3,380,619

RADIATOR CAP Original Filed May 11, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. JQHNR. QQDDEE April 30, 1968 J. R. BODDIE 3,380,619

RADIATOR CAP Original Filed May 11, 1964 2 Sheets sheet 2 INVENTOR. JQHNR. BODDEE,

United States Patent 3,380,619 RADIATUR CAP John R. Boddie, R0. Box60308, Houston, Tex. 77060 Continuation of appiication Ser. No. 366,579,May 11, 1964. This application Aug. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 573,157 9 Claims.(Cl. 229-44) This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 336,579, nowabandoned, filed May 11, 1964, and entitled, Radiator Cap.

This invention relates to radiator closures for liquid cooled, internalcombustion engines, and more particularly to radiator closures forpressurized, internal combustion engine cooling systems.

Cooling systems of present day internal combustion engines generally areof the pressurized type inasmuch as it has been found thatpressurization of cooling systems results in greater heat transferefliciency. One of the greatest problems inherent in such pressurizedcooling systems is the difliculty in checking the water level thereof.As soon as the radiator closure device is removed, the interior of thecooling system is reduced to atmosphen'c pressure and the liquid thereinflashes, with the result that a tremendous amount of liquid immediatelyboils and bubbles out of the cooling system, Manifestly, there isinherent in pressurized cooling systems great danget of injury toservice personnel, as well as an economic loss in the loss of antifreezeand corrosion inhibitor ordinarily used therein.

One object of the present invention is to provide a closure device foran internal combustion engine cooling system that permits the liquidlevel in the cooling system to be checked while the cooling system isunder pressure.

Another object is to provide such a closure device that will preventundue waste of cooling system protective liquids and that will permitservice personnel to check cooling system liquid level without danger ofpersonal injury.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a closure for aninternal combustion engine cooling system comprises an elongated housinghaving an open end for extending into the radiator. Means is provided onthe housing for latchingly and valvingly engaging the radiator toprovide a relief valve for opening under pressure from within theradiator. Normally-closed valve means on the housing below the firstmeans is provided for admitting water into the lower end of the housing,said valve means being held closed by a positive pressure differentialfrom the exterior of the housing to the interior thereof. Also providedis a sealing cap for the open upper end of the housing for producing apressure-tight seal thereon. Valve opening means is affixed to thesealing cap so as to extend into the housing for opening the valve meansagainst differential pressure between the exterior and interior of thehousing upon sealing of the cap to the upper end of the housing. Whenthe sealing cap and valve opening means are removed, the liquid level inthe housing is substantially the same as the liquid level within theradiator. However, the liquid level of the cooling system remains underpressure after the sealing cap has been removed.

Objects and features of the invention not evident from the abovediscussion will become apparent upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of the invention taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a radiator and of oneembodiment of a cooling system closure device in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along section 2-2 of FIG. 1;

Patented Apr. 30, 1968 FIG. 3 is a top view of the closure device, orcap 25, of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the housing 8 of FIG. 1 with the cap removed;

FIG. 5 is a view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustratinghow the cooling system can be filled with liquid;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of apparatus similar to FIG. 1 illustratinga modification of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along section 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fractional view of a portion of split shims 50 of FIG. 6,illustrating a construction for interconnecting the sections thereof;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the radiator cap illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are enlarged fragmentary views of portions of theapparatus of FIG. 9, more perspicuously illustrating the constructionaldetails of the valves in housing 8A;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along section 13-13 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 14 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 13, with the cam member 67in another operative position thereof.

With reference now to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 designates a portionof the upper end of an internal combustion engine radiator, such as foran automobile, having a filling neck 10 comprising a cylindrical wallportion having a laterally turned upper flange 11 defining an upperaperture, and an inwardly turned lower flange or valve seat 3 defining alower aperture 2. A downwardly turned flange or edge 12 terminates tothe outer edge of the outwardly turned flange 11 in accordance withnormal practice. The downwardly turned flange 12 includes a downwardlysloping edge 15, in accordance with normal practice, so as to permittightening of a radiator cap thereon. The filling neck is provided witha relief tube or overflow spout 9. The construction described above isentirely conventional and is of the type found on many automobiles.

The radiator closure includes an elongated, cylindrical housing 8 thatextends from above the upper aperture to below the lower aperture of thefilling neck. Housing 8 is provided with a laterally turned flange 24 atits upper, open end, and a downwardly turned flange 24A provided with atapered edge 24B, similar to the edge 11 of downwardly turned flange 12.Lug slots 26, most perspicuously illustrated in FIG. 4, are cut in thelaterally turned flange 24 to accommodate lugs 22 of secondary cap 25,de scribed below. The housing 8 has. connected thereto means forvalvingly engaging the interior of the filling neck above the loweraperture. As illustrated, this means comprises an annular flange 7 whichmay have an annular sealing means 5 of rubber or rubber-like mate-rialatfixed thereto. The flange 7 has an outer diameter intermediate thediameters of the upper and lower apertures so that the sealing means 5aflixed thereto can engage the interior of the filling neck above thelower aperture in valving engagement. Under many circumstances thesealing means 5 can be dispensed with, particularly when the inwardlyturned lower flange 3 is provided with an annular ridge on the uppersurface thereof, as is found on many radiators. Thus, it can be seenthat flange 7 comprises a movable valve member and flange 3 provides alower fixed valve member.

An annular, primary cap or reaction member 17 is slidably aflixed to thehousing -8. This primary cap is entirely similar in construction to manyradiator caps in common use, with the exception that an opening isprovided in the middle thereof for accommodating housing 8. The primarycap 17 is provided with :1 lug or inwardly turned tongue 13 for engagingthe downwardly slanting surface or shoulder 15, so that the cap can betightened on the radiator filling neck. An annular metal diaphragmfunctioning as a spring may be affixed to the inner edge of cap 17.However, this diaphragm can usually be omitted. A coil spring 31 ispositioned between flange 7 and primary cap 17 so that when the primarycap 17 is tightened on the filling neck, flange 7 will be forced intovalving engagement with inwardly turned flange 3. One or more shims canbe positioned between flange 7 and spring 31, as shown in FIG. 6, toincrease the pressure exerted by the spring on flange 7.

Below flange 7 in housing 8 there is provided a normaily-ciosed valvemeans 35 adapted, when opened, to admit water to the lower end of thehousing. Preferably, the construction of this valve is such as to allowair to escape from the housing into the radiator beiow said loweraperture. The valve means is constructed so as to be urged or heldclosed by a positive pressure differential from the exterior of thehousing 8 in the radiator to the interior of the housing. Asillustrated, this valve means comprises a flapper valve pivotallyaflixed to the housing 8 at a pivot flange 33. The valve member 34 isarcuate in shape so as to correspond to the contour of the housing 8.The housing 8 is provided with an opening 40 positioned so as to becovered by the valve member 34. Thus, it can be seen that the portion ofthe housing 8 around opening 40 functions as a fixed valve member. Asealing member 45, which may be of a temperature-resistant rubber orrubber-like material, may be aflixed to the valve member 34 so as toengage housing 8 around the opening 40. A central, inwardly projectingflange 36, having a pair of spring slots 37, 39 therein, is aflixed toor integral with the valve member 34 and projects through the opening40. A pair of arcuate spring members 411 slip through slots 37, 39 andmay be affixed to the flange 36 by solder ing or by atemperature-resistant glue such as epoxy resin. The spring members 41engage the inner surface of the housing 8 so as to urge the arcuatevalve member 34 against the housing.

A secondary cap 25, best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, is provided forthe open upper end of housing 8. The cap has an inwardly turned lug ortongue 22 engaging the downwardly sloping surface 24B so as to be urgeddownwardly upon rotation thereof. A metal diaphragm or spring 23 isafiixed to the cap by means of a stud or rivet 29 and a flange orshoulder 29A. A sealing memher, which preferably is oftemperature-resistant rubber or rubber-like material, is aflixed to thelower surface of spring 23 so as to engage the upper surface oflaterally turned flange 24 and provides a pressure-tight seal for theupper end of the housing. Other pressure-tight constructions known tothe art may be used, such as those making use of an annular ridge on theupper surface of flange 24 to be engaged by spring 23. Alternatively, asolid, annular sealing gasket may be provided between the cap 25 and thelateral flange 24, particularly where the flange 24 includes an annularridge on its upper surface. Both of these types of pressure sealconstructions for radiator caps are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,061,-138, Edelmann et al.

A valve opening means for opening valve against differential pressurebetween the interiors of the cooling system and the housing 8 isprovided which includes an elongated rod 27 integral with stud 29 andextending into the housing 8 at least to the level of valve 35. The cammember 42 is aflixed to the rod 27 by a set screw 44. The constructionof the cam 42 and its relative positioning with respect to valve 35 isbest illustrated in FIG. 2. The cam includes a camming surface forengaging flange 36 to open the valve 35 by rotation of cap 25 after thecap has reached the sealing position thereof. When the rod 27 and cam 42are run into housing 8, the cam should be positioned so that flange 36loosely engages the portion 42A of the camming surface. As the cap isrotated, the upper end of housing 8 is sealed and, with further rotationof the cap, valve 35 is opened when flange 36 engages the portion .213of the carnming surface so that water can pass between the interior ofthe cooling system and the interior of housing 8.

When the pressure in the cooling system increases to a sufficiently highvalue to overcome spring 31, flange 7 and seal 5 will be forced off ofthe valve seat flange 3. Steam and water will be ejected from the systemthrough overflow spout 9 and through the small annular space betweenprimary cap 17 and housing 8.

In order to till the radiator with liquid, the cap 25 is removed. Afill-up hose 53 having a ball seal member affixed thereto is inserted inthe open end of housing 8 so that the ball seal member 55 tightlyengages the open upper end of the housing. When water under pressure isinjected into the housing, valve 35 will be forced open so that watercan flow therethrough into the interior of the radiator. As soon aswater pressure is removed the valve 35 will be closed. Should there beno fill-up hose with a ball seal available, the cooling system can befilled with liquid by rotating primary cap 17 so as to remove the entireassembly including the p1 imary cap and housing 8 from the filling neck.After the cooling system has been filled, the entire assembly isreplaced. When it is desired to check the water level in the radiator,it is only necessary to take off the cap 25. The valve member 35 willremain closed because of the pressure differential between the interiorand exterior of housing 8. The water level in the housing will besubstantially the same as the water level in the radiator. When thewater level in the housing falls to a low level, the radiator can befilled as described above. Excess water remaining in the housing 8 afterfilling of the radiator will flow into the radiator housing as soon asthe valve 35 is opened after replacement of secondary cap 25 on theupper end of housing 8.

In the modification of the apparatus described above shown in FIGS. 6and 7, a centering spider 47 is aflixed to rod 27 between cam 42 and cap25. The valve 35 is held closed by a wrap-around spring 49 afiixed tothe exterior of valve 34 and extending around the housing 8. A pair ofshims 50 are shown positioned on flange 7 for the purpose of increasingthe radiator pressure required to force the flange '7 and seal 5 off offlange 3. The shims may be split and the sections thereof matinglyengaged as shown in FIG. 8. Otherwise, the apparatus is as describedabove.

In FIGS. 9 through 14 there is illustrated another preferred embodimentof the invention. With reference to FIG. 9, it can be readily perceivedthat many of the constructional details are the same as those of theapparatus of FIG. 1. However, the elongated housing 8 is of somewhatdifferent shape, having flat sides 8A and 8B rather than beingsubstantially cylindrical as in the previously described embodiment. Avacuum relief valve 81 is provided in the upper portion of the housingmember 8. This valve is for the purpose of preventing the collapse ofradiator hoses when the radiator liquid cools, and can also be providedin the apparatus of FIG. 1 if such is deemed advisable. As bestillustrated in FIG. 11, the valve comprises an annular plate 81A in thehousing 8, having a conical valve portion 89 extending through a valveopening in housing 8 including a cylindrical valve seat 84- extendinginto housing 8. An annular sealing member 82 is aflixed to annular plate81A for seating on valve seat 84. A substantially circular spring 85,conforming to the outer surface of housing 8 in the manner of the springillustrated in FIG. 13, is soldered, glued, or welded to the portion 89of conical valve portion 88 and is supported on the housing byprojection or flange 87. Normally, the spring urges the valve againstthe valve seat 84. When the pressure in the housing 8 is suflicientlylow, the spring 85 will be overcome to relieve the vacuum before theradiator hoses collapse.

In the lower end of the housing, below the flange 7, are a pair ofvertically spaced-apart, poppet-type valve members 71A and 718 which aresimilar in construction to valve member 81, but oppositely positionedrelative to housing 8 so as to be closed when the pressure in thehousing is less than the pressure outside of the housing. Theconstructional details are illustrated in FIG. 12. The valves also havean annular plate, a substantially Conical valve portion 74, and anannular sealing member 72. The spring urging a valve into engagementwith valve seat 73 has a flat portion 75A (see FIGS. 13 and 14) so as toconform to the contour of the flat housing portion 8B, and a tip 76projecting into the conical valve portion 74. The springs are supportedon projections or flanges 79 on housing 8 and claspingly engage thehousing and the valve members.

The cam 67 for opening the valves 71A and 71B is substantially S shapedas illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. In FIG. 13 the cam is shown in thevalve opening position thereof, and in FIG. 14 is illustrated in thevalve closing position thereof. Preferably, the middle portion 69 of theS cam is straight so that a flat, elongated rod 61 (see FIG. 9) can beaffixed thereto or made integral therewith. Rod 61 extends from cap 25to cam 67 and is affixed to cap 25 by welding, brazing, or gluing (seeFIGS. 9 and The cam 67 is run into the housing 8 in the positionillustrated in FIG. 14. When the cap is turned, the arcuate sections ofthe cam will force the valve members 71A and 71B open to allow water toenter the housing 8. Valve 71A permits water to flow freely into housing8. If the water level in the radiator is slightly above valve 71A, nodamage is done since only a slight pressure build-up in housing 8 willoccur. Preferably, valve 71A is at or above the normal water level inthe radiator.

The housing 8 may be unitary as illustrated, or may be constructed oftelescopically engaging parts if construction will be made easierthereby. For example, the housing may be broken at flange 7, and theupper portion of the housing reduced in diameter so as to slide into thelower portion thereof. Another flange would be necessary on the upperhousing portion to limit the engagement so as to prevent interferencewith the action of the valve opening cam. Alternatively, the two partsmay be swaged together or press-fitted together.

While there has been shown and described what at present is consideredto be the preferred embodiment of the invention, other modificationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not depart fromthe broadest aspects of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination:

an engine radiator of the pressurized liquid type;

an elongated housing engaging and extending into said radiator, saidhousing having an open upper end; normally closed valve means in theportion of said housing extending into said radiator; said valve means,when open, being adapted to admit water into the lower end of saidhousing, said valve means further being held closed by a positivepressure differential from the exterior of said housing to the interiorthereof; a sealing cap for the open upper end of said housing forproviding a pressure-tight seal thereon; and

valve-opening means aflixed to said sealing cap and extending into saidhousing for opening said valve means against differential pressurebetween the exterior and interior of said housing upon sealing of sa'idcap to the upper end of said housing.

2. A closure for an internal combustion engine radiator, comprising:

an elongated housing for extending into the radiator,

said housing having an open upper end;

first means on said housing for latchingly and valvingly engaging saidradiator to provide a relief valve for opening under pressure fromwithin said radiator;

normally closed valve means on said housing below said first means foradmitting water, ,when opened, into the lower end of said housing, saidvalve means being held closed by a positive pressure dififerent'ial fromthe exterior of said housing to the interior thereof;

a sealing cap for the open upper end of said housing for providing apressure-tight seal thereon; and

valve-opening means afiixed to said sea-ling cap and extending into saidhousing for opening said valve 'means against difierential pressurebetween the exterior and interior of said housing upon sealing of saidcap to the upper end of said housing.

3. A closure for an internal combustion engine radiator having an opentopped filling neck provided with a lower aperture communicating withthe interior of the radiator, and an upper aperture having a largerdiameter than said lower aperture and communicating with the atmosphere,comprising:'

an elongated housing having one open end for extending from above theupper aperture to below the lower aperture of said filling neck, andincluding first means for valvingly engaging the interior of saidfilling neck above the lower aperture;

normally closed valve means in said housing below said first means,adapted when open to admit Water into the lower end of said housing,said valve means being urged closed by a positive pressure dilferentialfrom the exterior of the housing to the interior thereof;

an annular reaction member slidably mounted on said housing around saidhousing;

spring means around said housing engaging said reaction member forholding in valving engagement said first means for valvingly engaging thinterior of said filling neck;

a sealing cap for the open end of said housing for providing apressure-tight sea-l therefor; and

valve opening means afiixed to said sealing cap and extending into saidhousing for opening said valve means against pressure difierentialbetween the exterior and interior of said housing.

4. A closure for an internal combustion engine radiator having an opentopped filling neck provided with a lower aperture communicating withthe interior of the radiator, and an upper aperture having a largerdiameter than said lower aperture and communicating with the atmosphere,comprising:

an elongated housing having one open end for extending above said upperaperture and below said lower aperture;

a flange afiixed to the exterior of said housing between the endsthereof, having a diameter intermediate the diameters of the upper andlower apertures for valvingly engaging the interior of the filling neckabove the lower aperture;

normally-closed valve means in said housing below said flange, adaptedwhen opened to admit Water into the lower end of said housing and toallow air to escape from said housing into the radiator below said loweraperture, said valve means being urged closed by a positive pressuredifferential from the exterior of the housing to the interior thereof;

an annular reaction member slidably engaged around said housing forclamping to the upper aperture of the filling neck;

spring means between said annular reaction member and said flange forholding said flange in sealing engagement with said filling neck againstfluid pressure from within said radiator;

a sealing cap for the open end of said housing for providing apressure-tight seal therefor; and

valve opening means aflixed to said scaling cap and 7 extending intosaid housing for opening said valve means against pressure difierentia-lbetween the exterior and the interior of said housing.

5. A radiator cap as defined in claim 3 wherein said normally closedvalve means comprises an opening in said housing, an arcuate valvemember pivotal-ly affixed to said housing above said opening, andsealing means afiixed to said arcuate valve member for sealingengagement with said housing around said opening.

6. A radiator cap as defined in claim 3 wherein said normally closedvalve means comprises an opening in said housing, an arcuate valvemember pivo'tally affixed to said housing above said opening, sealingmeans aflixed to said arcuate valve member for sealing engagement withsaid housing around said opening, and spring means affixed to saidarcuate valve member for urging said arcuate valve member against saidhousing.

7. A radiator cap as defined in claim 3 wherein said normally closedvalve means comprises an opening in said housing, an arcuate valvemember pivotally afiixed to said housing above said opening, sealingmeans affixed to said arcuate valve member for sealing engagement withsaid housing around said housing, spring means affixed to said arcuatevalve member for urging said arcuate valve member against said housing,and a flange aiiixed to said, arcuate valve member extending into saidhousing through said opening, and wherein said valve opening meansincludes an elongated rod affixed to said cap for extending into saidhousing, cam means afiixed to said rod at a position thereon to engagesaid flange, said cam means having a contour to open said valve meansafter sealing of said sealing cap to said housing by rotation of saidcap on said housing.

8. A radiator cap as defined in claim 3 wherein said normally closedvalve means comprises first and second valve seats surroundingvertically spaced-apart openings in said housing, first and secondvertically spaced-apart poppet-type valve members each having a portionextending through said openings into the housing, and spring meansclaspingly engaging said housing and said valves for urging said valvemembers onto said valve seats.

9. A radiator cap as defined in claim 3 wherein said normally closedvalve means comprises first and second valve seats surroundingvertically spaced-apart openings in said housing, first and secondvertically spaced-apart poppet-type valve members each having a portionextending through said openings into the housing, and spring meansclaspingly engaging said housing and said valves for urging said valvemembers onto said valve seats and wherein the valve opening meanscomprises a substantially S-shaped cam member, one of the arcuateportions of which is positioned to engage the valve means when thesealing cap is closed on the housing to open said valve means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1963 Friend 220-44 10/1966Holmes l4l3ll

1. IN COMBINATION: AN ENGINE RADIATOR OF THE PRESSURIZED LIQUID TYPE; ANELONGATED HOUSING ENGAGING AND EXTENDING INTO SAID RADIATOR, SAIDHOUSING HAVING AN OPEN UPPER END; NORMALLY CLOSED VALVE MEANS IN THEPORTION OF SAID HOUSING EXTENDING INTO SAID RADIATOR; SAID VALVE MEANS,WHEN OPEN, BEING ADAPTED TO ADMIT WATER INTO THE LOWER END OF SAIDHOUSING, SAID VALVE MEANS FURTHER BEING HELD CLOSED BY A POSITIVEPRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL FROM THE EXTERIOR OF SAID HOUSING TO THE INTERIORTHEREOF; A SEALING CAP FOR THE OPEN UPPER END OF SAID HOUSING FORPROVIDING A PRESSURE-TIGHT SEAL THEREON; AND VALVE-OPENING MEANS AFFIXEDTO SAID SEALING CAP AND EXTENDING INTO SAID HOUSING FOR OPENING SAIDVALVE MEANS AGAINST DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE BETWEEN THE EXTERIOR ANDINTERIOR OF SAID HOUSING UPON SEALING OF SAID CAP TO THE UPPER END OFSAID HOUSING.